Santorini Hoteliers Call For Better Infrastructure, DMO

Santorini, Greece.

Hoteliers on Santorini highlighted the urgent need for the creation of a destination management organization (DMO) and the improvement of infrastructure to meet the high tourist demand.

The Santorini Hoteliers Association (SHA) briefed the island’s mayor Nikos Zorzos this week on issues that need to be addressed before the launch of the season.

Among others, they referred to the lacking infrastructure which not only impacts the lives of local residents but may be the cause, they said, for a decline in tourist bookings compared to previous years.

SHA President Antonis Pagonis (left), Thira’s Mayor Nikos Zorzos (middle), SHA board member George Dimitrokalis (right).

Additionally, the SHA also tabled the idea of linking the primary sector and local production with tourism, which it said will be beneficial to both sectors; requested participation in collaboration with the municipality in international tourism expos; underlined the importance of social media marketing actions; and the need to address negative press references to the island.

The SHA also informed the mayor of plans by global tour operators to extend their programs for the island and by airlines to introduce new flights to Santorini earlier and later in the season.

Lastly, the two sides agreed to regulate Airbnb-style activity so as to ensure a fair playing field for the hotels industry.

Commenting on feedback gathered during this month’s ITB Berlin, SHA President Antonis Pagonis said that demand for Greece was up by 7-10 percent, and that although bookings for Santorini were slow, he expected  “last minute” activity to help cover lost ground.

Pagonis went on to add that despite the strong interest in Greece, there were variations between regions and destinations that “need help, including Santorini”, he said.